Struggling street vendors

Street vendors have been an integral part of the urban economy in Bangladesh, offering cheap goods and services to millions. Roadside tea stalls and makeshift garment stalls provide for all sections of income groups. They still provide much more, though, despite all that they get. These vendors face regular evictions, harassment, and uncertainty. The unavailability of legal status is among the greatest challenges for these vendors. These street vendors operate informally without proper licences and are thus vulnerable to surprise crackdowns. Whenever the city requires the roads cleared for reconstruction or newly commissioned infrastructure projects begin, it is always the vendors who are evicted first. Payment of unofficial "tolls" to merely stay in business, cuts further into thin profits. On the other hand, the growth in the number of shopping malls and websites is transforming consumer habits, relocating consumers from street markets. However, for the majority of working class people, these sellers remain the most accessible and reasonable option. Instead of viewing them as an issue, city planners must understand how to integrate street vendors into city development plans. Dedicated vending spaces with no toll, fair licence policies, and financing can create a win-win situation for vendors and the city authority.

Atikur Rahman

student

BBA Department

North South University.

atikur.rahman.nsuf@gmail.com